#Hamas #asks #permanent #ceasefire #threatens #release #Israeli #hostages
Jakarta –
Hamas has again spoken out regarding a ceasefire with Israel ahead of Ramadan. Hamas is asking for a ceasefire not only for six weeks, but permanently.
“Without Israel agreeing to a permanent ceasefire, Hamas will not agree to the hostage deal,” said an important source in the militant group as reported by CNN, Sunday (3/3/2024).
Hamas also gave three important points before agreeing to the agreement. The following are the points as reported by CNN:
– Permanent ceasefire
– Withdrawal of what the source called ‘occupation forces’, namely Israeli troops, from the Gaza Strip
– Return of refugees from the south to the north of the Gaza Strip
The source also spoke to CNN as the Hamas delegation returned to Cairo for further talks. Then, a day after a senior Biden Administration official told reporters that Israel had “basically accepted” the proposal for a six-week ceasefire.
There has been no public comment from Israel since the briefing from Biden administration officials.
A diplomatic source familiar with the talks told CNN on Sunday that there was progress, but it was very slow. The source said it was highly unlikely there would be a deal in the next 48 hours.
Although the source also said that Hamas would not agree to release the hostages without a permanent ceasefire. They also said that there must be guarantees that some aid will reach the northern and southern areas of Gaza before progress can be made.
(maa/lir)
